READY PAC EXPANDS COMMUNITY OUTREACH TO LOCAL BUSINESSES AND EMPLOYEES WITH MULTIPLE EVENTS IN A SINGLE WEEK

This past month, Ready Pac Produce hosted a series of employee and community events to express appreciation for continued support by the companys associates, their families and local Irwindale businesses.

Irwindale, Calif., November 15, 2002 - This past month, Ready Pac Produce hosted a series of employee and community events to express appreciation for continued support by the companys associates, their families and local Irwindale businesses.
   Four events took place in a single week beginning with Associate Appreciation Week" and closing with a festive mixer for the Irwindale Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, October 29, 2002. Each event underscored the value Ready Pac places on teamwork, esprit de corps and community relations.
   Now in its third year, Associate Appreciation Week" salutes the more than 2,200 Ready Pac associates. The celebration included daily drawings, contests, and departmental awards including an associate favorite, The Length of Service Award," which honors employment anniversaries and milestones.
   The special week also included Supplier Development Day," created as both an educational and inspirational vehicle to inform suppliers of Ready Pacs proprietary processing systems, and to encourage quality throughout the supply chain. Fresh produce growers participated in presentations and roundtable discussions designed to expand their knowledge of the distinctive product-to-market processes developed by Ready Pac.
   The week concluded with Family Appreciation Day," a time set aside for associates to bring their families to Ready Pac headquarters for lunch, plant tours, group activities, awards and prizes. Community agencies, the fire and police department, and even the movie character Scooby Doo, were on hand to answer questions and entertain families. In addition, booths offered free dental screenings, educational workshops and provided healthy recipes with creative ideas for easy ways to consume at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily.
   The Irwindale Chamber of Commerce mixer resulted in one of the largest attendance records this year at such an event. As host, Ready Pac shared new product demonstrations and sumptuous tastings of its extensive product line. The event was declared a success as it gave the local business community an ideal setting and occasion to interact and exchange ideas.
   Were privileged to be a part of a wonderful family of Ready Pac associates and business leaders," says Al Giuliani, president and chief operating officer of Ready Pac Produce. These events are a small but important way to show our gratitude and appreciation to those who support us."
   California-based Ready Pac is a premier processor of fresh-cut produce. With processing facilities throughout the U.S. and Canada, Ready Pac's award-winning salads, fresh-cut fruits and vegetables are distributed in supermarkets and restaurant chains across North America. Recently, the company ranked number 52 on the Los Angeles Business Journals list of The 100 Largest Private Companies in Los Angeles." For more information, log onto www.readypacproduce.com

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